The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-03-10
WOMEN FENCERS
Why They Use the Foils and How
They Do It.
An EfFccttve Aid to Beauty and Health
Popularity of Fencing In Europe
Mrs. Langtry an Expert in
the Art.

~
ieneer until you abandon those abomi-
nable heels So saying the polite
fencing-master laid aside his mask and
pointed his foil, half scornfully, half
sadly, at the little blocks which pro-
jected from point near the middle of
the soles Of his pupils slippers, and
which had just tripped her up in
lunge. Evenin her humiliating posi-
tion-for she had completely lost her
balance-the little actress whose fenc-
ing lesson was thus unreasonable inter-
rupted, presented an uncommonly pleas
ing picture. Her cheek was flushed
and her eyes were bright with the ex-
hlaration of the exercise; the violence
Of the last lunge and its disastrous
result had seta few locks of golden hair
free, and the elose-ftting costume dis
played figure every line of which told
q health and harmonious muscular de-
yelopment.
The costume was certainly one which
would have gained the young woman
applause on the stage. 1t consisted of
a white flannel jacket, double e-breasted
and padded across the chest to deaden
the force of her assailant's thrusts. A
short skirt, with blue and white stripe,
reaching just to the knees allowed the
fullest freedom of movement. A pair
oi silk stockings, gloves with long
gauntlets that protected the wrists, and
the slippers with the offending heels
completed the costume.
As may be supposed the pupil did not
have much difficulty in placating the
oHended master, and the lesson went
on. But in future the high heels were
discarded and in their place came slip
pefs without any heels at all, which are
we only proper foot-gear for either man
or woman while fencing. Soon the
master was able to say with triumph of
nS pupil; "She handles the foil as nat
afally as ifit were needle. There are
le' many Of my male pupils against
shom would not match her, if she
mac their strength. It's pity that
more women don't fence. I like to
0aen them. Their movements are nat
alally more graceful than those of men,
a''u it is easier to train them to execute
a'fus1s with delicacy, but when it comes
an actual bout with the foils they
'ose their heads. Goodness and iude-
'aeat are the essential characteristics of
good swordsman, and my experience
: eacnlng women is that these are
s'alltes which women do not possess
u any high degree,
The number Of women who handle
" loils is larger than is generally sup
f'sei. Even in New York where fenc-
" aas become popular amusement
's within the last few years, fencing
ss, as'e,s nnd plenty of female pupils, al
ash as. 1nese are generally actresses.
A.ssesses are credited-probably Justly
~ .l'a taking more care of their beau
man any other class of women. Now,
h men who are really careful of their
.sa sa's should not neglect their health,
~ ~ exercise is more healthful than
"a | It makes the carriage erect
sls..! ~ graceful; it gives suppleness and
S, s'el.y to the muscles, it has the ex-
~ s'lon thatmakes exercise palatable
Z; hset ifsa woman prizes a clear
,sa a and well-rounded figure, foil
~; ~ mask viii prove her most eff
j .s Z AIDS; and this. the young women
Wrer. -o' ooen sio" 70 us
.,ss sasa II again it not infrequently hap
e,,s ,ss ! saa1 an actress is assigned to some
NJ M 'aat requires her. to make dis
~. ~ o. swordsmanship on the stage.
,isss ~ sae goes to fencing-master and
$. s. iew lessons she is able to make
asss sssacelui exhibition out of what would
easa,.a s,se have been bungling and
saeouth scene.
nss. j s = at'nental Europe the women are
a.: - 'aily awake to the advantages Of
nap n's han they are in this country.
ka, suppress of Austria, whose daring
ship' love for dogs. and general